Oak Ridge Game No. 4: McMinn to visit Blankenship

So far this season, the Oak Ridge High School football team (2-0 in district play, 2-1 overall) has outscored its opponents 112 points to 51 points.

Darrell Richardson/The Oak Ridger

So far this season, the Oak Ridge High School football team (2-0 in district play, 2-1 overall) has outscored its opponents 112 points to 51 points.

The Wildcats lost to host Farragut High School 31-24 in their Week 1 season-opener at Bill Clabo Field; then handed the visiting Clinton High School Dragons a 51-14 defeat in their Week 2 home-opener at Blankenship Field; and, after struggling a bit in the first half at Halls Crossroads last Friday, bested the Red Devils’ high school football team 37-6 at Dinzle “Dink” Adams Field.

By quarter, Oak Ridge has outscored its 2013 opponents 31-27 in the first quarter; 14-10 in the second quarter; an impressive 39-7 in the third quarter; and 28-7 in the fourth quarter, according to statistics being provided this season by Mark Haste.

Both Oak Ridge and its opponents have compiled 31 first downs each so far this season. In the case of the Wildcats, 17 of those first downs have been the result of rushing, a dozen as the result of passing and two due to their opponents’ penalties.

In rushing yardage, Oak Ridge has gained 418 yards rushing but lost 46 yards in its first three games for a net yard gain of 372. The ’Cats opponents have gained 502 yards rushing and lost 29 yards for a net gain of 473 yards rushing.

Out of 50 passing attempts this season, Oak Ridge has completed 26 throws for a 52 percentage and a net gain of 472 yards passing. Oak Ridge’s opponents have completed 36 of 54 attempts with one interception for a passing percentage of 66.67 and a net gain of 416 yards passing.

Cumulative statistics show Oak Ridge has fumbled the ball twice (losing the ball twice) this season and committed 19 penalties totaling 115 yards lost; the Wildcats’ first three opponents this season have compiled a total of three fumbles (losing the ball two times) and have committed eight penalties totaling 60 yards lost.

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The Oak Ridger has published several articles this week on the Wildcats’ first-half struggles at Knoxville Halls last week. But on the other side of the field THIS week will be the McMinn County Cherokees, a 1-3 overall team that lost 35-14 to state-ranked Alcoa last Friday.

Despite that loss, Tribe coach Bo Cagle was reportedly upbeat following the Sept. 13 defeat, stating the Cherokees “were 100 percent better than in any of the first three games. … The effort was there from start to finish.”

McMinn County struggled on defense with big plays — giving up three pass completions for 39 yards or more and a 38-yard touchdown run.

On offense, McMinn committed just one turnover — but a costly one — after giving the ball away six times the previous week to Cleveland.

“The offensive line struggled to protect in passing situations and creating movement up front to get the running game in gear,” an Associated Press report stated.

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CAREacter Athletes

The CAREacter Star Athlete Program is based on a five-point Star System that includes attitude, character, grades, community service and performance.

Every week, coaches from schools across the county select one student from each specific sport as their school’s “Star Athlete of the Week” based on the five traits.